Psalm 23 — The Lord is my shepherd

1 Yahweh is my shepherd; I shall lack nothing.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

3 He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.

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How to pray Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is a psalm of trust attributed to David, who was a shepherd before he was king. It can be read all at once, as a whole prayer, or line by line, pausing at each image: the shepherd, the green pastures, the still waters, the valley of the shadow, the prepared table, the house of the Lord.

A simple way to pray it: read one verse, close your eyes and tell God what that image means for your day today. "I shall lack nothing" — what am I afraid of lacking? "You are with me" — where do I feel alone? Read the full chapter in Psalm 23.